Listen with devotion as I recount the sacred instructions on the recitation of the great mantra, as revealed in the scripture. For those who are actively engaged in ritual action, a concise form of the mantra is prescribed; while for those who have withdrawn from worldly duties, the longer form is to be used. The joining of the ‘u’ sound with the vyāhṛtis and the mantra, according to the measure of sound, is essential. In all Vedic rites, this ‘u’ is to be applied both during worship and at the two twilights. It is declared that by reciting the mantra nine hundred million times, a person is purified beyond doubt. Further, with each completion of ninety million recitations, the practitioner attains mastery over a different element: first the earth, then the waters, then fire, then air, and then space. In the same manner, by reciting the mantra ninety million times for each, one gains mastery over scent and the other subtle elements in their order, and ultimately, over the sense of ego itself. By reciting the mantra a thousand times, a person becomes ever pure; thereafter, further recitation is undertaken for the sake of attaining one’s own desired accomplishments. In this way, upon completing one hundred and eight crores of recitation, one becomes awakened through the praṇava and attains pure yoga. Endowed with such pure yoga, the devotee is liberated while yet living, without doubt, always reciting and meditating upon Shiva, who is himself the form of praṇava. When absorbed in samadhi, the great yogi becomes truly one with Shiva. Even then, one should continue the recitation within the body, in accordance with the seer, meter, deity, and other prescribed aspects. The praṇava, when joined with the letters and recited internally, is guided by its own sage; through the ten mothers, the six paths, and other sacred means, one attains all the fruits of nyāsa, the ritual placement of mantras. For those engaged in action and those who combine action with contemplation, the gross form of praṇava is prescribed. The Shiva yogis are said to be of three kinds, associated with action, austerity, and recitation. The one who is endowed with wealth and enjoyments, who possesses hands and other limbs, and is engaged in ritual worship, is called a practitioner of kriya-yoga. The one who is engaged in worship, has subdued the senses, and is free from harming others or similar faults is known as a tapas-yogi. The one who is always calm, free from all desires and anger, and ever devoted to recitation, is known as a japa-yogi. By worshipping Shiva with the sixteen offerings, a Shiva yogi attains pure liberation, progressing in order—beginning with residence in the same world as Shiva. Now, hear of the yoga of recitation: recitation is prescribed for the performer of austerity, for it purifies the sacrifice. The name of Shiva, preceded by ‘namah’ in the dative case and consisting of the five elements, is indeed the gross form of the five-syllabled mantra of Shiva. By reciting this five-syllabled mantra, all accomplishments are attained. One should always recite this mantra, beginning with praṇava. Having received instruction from the guru, the devotee should dwell happily on the good earth, beginning in the eastern quarter and continuing until the dark fortnight. The months of Māgha and Bhādra are considered the best times for this practice. One should eat moderately, speak little, and keep the senses under control. By constantly serving one’s own father and king, and by reciting a thousand mantras, one becomes pure; otherwise, one remains in debt. The five-syllabled mantra should be recited five hundred thousand times, all the while meditating on Shiva, who is seated on a lotus throne, the crescent moon adorning his matted locks. Visualize him shining with the goddess seated on his left thigh, surrounded by great attendants, the Lord bearing the deer and axe, with hands granting boons and dispelling fear. Always remember Sadashiva, the ever-compassionate bestower of grace; worship him first in the heart, in the orb of the sun, with a devoted mind. Facing east, having performed pure acts, one should recite the five-syllabled mantra in the morning on the fourteenth lunar day, after completing daily duties. In a delightful and pure place, with a controlled and pure mind, the mantra should be recited one thousand and twelve times. One should select married Brahmins, or the best among Brahmins, and choose one excellent teacher, established in the form of Shambhu. Along with him, five foremost Brahmins devoted to Shiva should be chosen, representing Ishana, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva, and Sadyojata. Having procured the materials for worship, the devotee should begin the worship of Shiva; after performing the worship properly, the fire offering (homa) should commence. With his own sacred thread, he should begin the fire offering, performing eleven, one hundred and one, or a thousand offerings, according to his means. He should offer with Kapila ghee himself, or have Shiva devotees perform one hundred and eight offerings, if he is wise. At the end of the fire offering, he should give the teacher a pair of cows as a gift, and contemplate the teacher as embodying the forms beginning with Ishana. With water sprinkled by them, he should bathe his own head, thereby instantly obtaining the merit of bathing at thirty-six crore sacred places. With devotion, he should offer them food consisting of ten kinds of dishes, including the teacher’s wife, beginning with Ishana. He should honor them with the best food according to his means, preceded by rudraksha and cloth, and accompanied by cakes and sweetmeats. After making the offering, he should arrange a great feast; then, having prayed to the Lord, he should complete the recitation. By performing the prescribed rite in this way, a man becomes a true practitioner; and by reciting five hundred thousand times again, all sins are destroyed. Beginning from Atala and proceeding up to Satyaloka, by reciting five hundred thousand times, he attains the lordship of each respective world. If one dies in the midst of this practice, at the end of enjoyment, he is born again on earth as a reciter of mantras; and again, after five hundred thousand recitations, he attains proximity to Brahma. With another five hundred thousand recitations, he attains likeness and lordship; and after a hundred million recitations, he becomes directly equal to Brahma himself. Thus is the sacred path of mantra recitation, O twice-born, leading the devotee from purity to mastery, and ultimately to union with the Supreme.